EU Parliament Passes Ban on Goods Made with Forced Labour

On 22nd April 2024, the European Parliament voted to prohibit the sale, import, and export of products produced through forced labour, primarily targeting concerns over human rights abuses in Xinjiang, China.

Key Points

Why it Matters: Driven by concerns over human rights violations in Xinjiang, the ban aligns the EU with the United States' efforts to combat forced labour, particularly against Uyghur Muslims.
How it Operates: Authorities in EU member states or the Commission can investigate suspicious goods and supply chains, with preliminary inquiries concluding within 30 working days.
Products found to involve forced labour will be barred from the EU market, and shipments will be halted at borders.
Key Insight: EU officials emphasized the significance of the law in combatting human trafficking and forced labour, asserting Europe's commitment to ethical trade practices.
What's Ahead: The law, passed by a significant majority in the EU Parliament, awaits approval from member states before implementation, expected to occur within three years.